The pre‑World Cup friendlies are currently underway, and the United States Men’s National Team, bearing the expectations of a host nation, will meet Senegal in the opening match of their final preparatory tour. Amid considerable attention surrounding this high‑profile fixture, a key question is whether Christian Pulisic will feature in the starting XI.
Pulisic is expected to start against Senegal. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is using the matches against Senegal and Germany to fine‑tune his World Cup line‑up, which includes the AC Milan forward.
Senegal, placed in Group I with France, Iraq and Norway, confront what many regard as the tournament’s toughest group, yet the Lions of Teranga enter in strong form. After winning the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year — a title later reassigned to Morocco by CAF — they aim to harness that momentum for the global stage.
The USMNT versus Senegal friendly will take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Following this warm‑up, the United States will conclude its preparatory schedule against Germany on June 6, while Senegal will meet Saudi Arabia on June 9.
Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States.
Pulisic Aims to End Scoring Drought
Despite carrying the most international caps of any player on the 2026 World Cup roster with 84, Pulisic arrives at the tournament mired in the most prolonged scoreless run of his career. Across his last 21 games, 19 with AC Milan and two with the national team, he has failed to find the back of the neta troubling statistic for the player the team will rely on most in the attacking third.
Pochettino, however, has not wavered in his belief that the drought will end when it matters most. “Of course, OK, he didn’t score in the last, I don’t know, six months. He’s going to score in the World Cup. Yes, I really trust on that. I really trust (him). I have confidence on him. He has very good attitude, very good. He’s trying so hard to get his best level, and I think he will achieve it for sure,” the Argentine boss told reporters.
Projected Starting XIs for the USMNT and Senegal
USMNT’s projected lineup (4-3-3): Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Auston Trusty, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie; Timothy Weah, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman.
Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino.
Senegal’s projected lineup (4-3-3): Edouard Mendy; Krepin Diatta, Mamadou Sarr, Moussa Niakhate, El Hadji Malick Diouf; Habib Diarra, Pape Sarr, Lamine Camara; Ismaila Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, Sadio Mane.
Head coach: Pope Thiaw.
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